Shakespeare in the Summer

First of all, we of thrice booked would like to apologize for not having the comment button enabled for Melville’s last post. We are working on fixing it, and hope to have it enabled soon so we can continue her intriguing discussion on summer reading.


That being said, this post will entail a response to Melville’s inquiries regarding summer reading, just because it’s a fun/wonderful topic that definitely warrants a reply, even in the form of a post 

Soooooo, on one level, even years later, mandatory high school reading reminds me of the summertime (I’m so glad it was required, though, because I probably wouldn’t have read certain texts at that age if it wasn’t). I still remember experiencing Great Expectations on my parents’ living room couch in Southern California, and Crime and Punishment while vacationing in the Rocky Mountains—strange environmental associations, I know, but existent correlations, nonetheless.

Most of all, though, when I imagine the warm, relaxing summertime, who so courteously lengthens the days’ promises, Shakespeare naturally appears, mostly in the park, among the trees, and under the sunny or starry sky. Summertime is the perfect time for some Shakespeare in the park! Yes, one can argue that Shakespeare isn’t exactly lighter fare, but I don’t think one has to fully comprehend his work to enjoy the atmosphere and tone he creates: his foreign lands, unforgettably engaging characters, and beautiful language. I mean, I must have been 10 or 11 when my parents took me to my first Shakespearean performance, and I guarantee I wasn’t accurately following the plot, or completely aware of the complexities occurring, but it didn’t really matter. I was hooked, and I have my parents to thank for it. I was transported in time and space, maybe to an English countryside, a Roman street, or a Scottish kingdom, but essentially, to a world created by Shakespeare’s captivating words and artful structure. Now, many Shakespeare in the Parks later, reading one of his plays before its production (which sometimes qualifies as a reread!) is one of my favorite and most meaningful summer pastimes. Last year it was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and I anxiously await this year’s selection. There’s just something that’s so alluring and ethereal about Shakespeare and the summer—a space that, whether comic, tragic, or both, offers something bigger than our personal world, something other-worldly that entertains, engages, and inspires, both in text and in performance. This is why Shakespeare is my favorite summer read!